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It's no secret that fashion designers are obsessed with film.
Tom Ford tried to break into filmmaking after his much- publicized exit from Gucci, "Old Hollywood Glamour" is quite possibly the most-commonly cited (to the point of cliche) influence for red carpet gowns, and A-listers fight for front row seats at fashion week's hottest shows.
So, it's no surprise that fashion documentaries have become de rigeur for designers. Did you catch Lagerfeld Confidential? No? Well, hopefully you Tivo'd last night's Sundance Channel premiere of Loic Prigent's documentary Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton.
Prigent's film takes an in-depth and unfiltered look at a pre-makeover Marc Jacobs and his amazing work for both his eponymous collection and Louis Vuitton.
Cameras capture all the backstage chaos as Jacobs and his teams make last minute preparations for fashion shows for both Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton collections. Surprisingly, Jacobs is not phased by the constant strobing flashbulbs of paparazzi and he works like a well-oiled machine. The film drives home the point that Jacobs makes no separation between his life and work.
One of the more comedic and borderline absurd moments occurs when Jacobs introduces his two friends, Sofia Coppola to Lil Kim, to one another backstage before a show. The two proceed to have a painfully awkward interaction while paparazzi capture every moment.
Filmmakers also followed Jacobs during his minimal amount of downtime during which he shops of art, which often becomes the inspiration for future collections and some of his most successful collaborations. Notable artists Takashi Murakami and Elizabeth Peyton sound off on the influence of Jacobs in their work. When asked how he and Murakami met Jacobs replies breezily, "I just sent him an email."
Though the documentary offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into the blood, sweat and tears behind a major fashion celebrity, you are left wanting more. At times, the film glosses over the well-publicized romances and past struggles with drug addiction, which have received almost as much press as his clothes.
If you didn't have a chance to see the documentary, Sundance will air it again on February 18th at Noon. Set those Tivo's! --Christine Zalocha
